Immigrant Roots Inspire a Lifetime of Giving

Padma Venkatesan immigrated to the U.S. from India as a child. As her parents worked to build a life in a new country, Venkatesan often saw them extend a helping hand to others, or receive one themselves. This taught her early on about the role generosity plays in building a strong community.

“My family and I were fortunate to have many people help us when we first came to this country. That’s why it is important for me to give back,” she says.

Inspired by her roots, Venkatesan focuses her philanthropy on education, immigration, health, and racial justice, giving largely through her Trust donor advised fund. She has also volunteered many hours as a tutor to young students.

Venkatesan is a former actuary who left the profession to raise her two, now-grown children. She and her husband TK, a physician, live in River Forest, where Venkatesan is active in the community.

During the pandemic, the couple decided to donate the investment gain of their donor advised fund to the Trust’s Unity Fund. “It was a no-brainer for me. Kristin Carlson Vogen at the Trust explained to me what Unity Fund was designed to do: direct funds to organizations supporting Chicagoans in great need, which at the time were those affected by the crisis brought on by COVID-19.”

The Trust also connected Venkatesan to the Asian Giving Circle (AGC), a Trust affinity fund dedicated to supporting Chicago’s diverse Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Venkatesan found her experience with AGC so compelling that she hopes to create a similar fund for the Indian community — and beyond.

“The Indian community owes a great deal to the civil rights movement for opening doors that helped make our immigration to this country possible. It is time that we, as Indian Americans, do more to support people of color.”